Exploring Chromebook’s Settings

Chromebook specific settings are buried along with usual Chrome settings on a Chromebook. With this article, I am trying to separate them and make a list so that you will know how many Chromebook specific settings are there and what can be customized.

Finding Settings

I am not going to explain how to access each item when I explain about them. It is because you have a search option available in the settings page. You can search the settings page and directly reach to what you are looking for. So when I talk about “Internet Connection” you can go to settings page and type internet and you will see the option.

Chromebook Settings – The List

The first one I am going to list is the Ash settings pane. There is a lot to cover there, and I have explained them here in s a separate article.

Internet Connection: This allows you to switch between Wifi and 3 (if your Chromebook is 3G enabled). You can enable/disable wifi and 3G from here. You can add a new VPN connection by clicking “Add connection” in this menu.There is an option to allow proxy for shared networks also.

Appearance: From here, you can set a new wallpaper. You can easily do this by right clicking your desktop though!

Device: This is where you get to control settings specific to your device and peripherals. This includes changing touchpad speed and mouse speed.

Touchpad and Mouse Settings: This option available under the Device menu gives additional control for Touchpad and Mouse. You can enable “Tap-to-click, switch between traditional scrolling and Australian scrolling and switch the mouse primary button (if you are left handed, this is where you go to change mouse to suit your preference.)

Keyboard Settings: This menu also comes under Touchpad and Mouse Settings. You can change what the Search, Alt and Ctrl keys are used for, from here.

Users: As the name suggests, here is where you manage users, if you are the owner of the Chromebook. You can enable or disable guest login, change your account picture, allow or restrict new users from the login screen and show or hide usernames and photos on the login screen.

Date and time: Yes, this is where you change the timezone,and choose between 24 or 12 hour clock.

Bluetooth: This is where you enable bluetooth. When you select the checkbox to enable bluetooth, a new field is displayed, to add a new device. From here, it is your normal searching and adding routine as on any other bluetooth enabled device.

Downloads: Apart from the normal download settings you see on Chrome, a Chromebook will show you a checkbox that says “Disable Google Drive on this device” and you know what it is for!

I hope I have covered everything, at least as of now, on the development channel of Chrome OS. I will definitely come back and update this page when there is a new feature added or existing one modified so that this page will stay useful and updated. If you think I missed something, do let me know, and I will get it added!